Patent application title: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROSTHETIC/ORTHOTIC DEVICE COMMUNICATION

Abstract:

A system and method for prosthetic/orthotic (PO) device and/or PO system
communication. PO devices of the present invention preferably employ
common communication modules that allow for wireless communication
between PO devices and other devices, such as remote controls and data
transfer devices. The present invention also provides for a methodology
of determinant and non-interfering simultaneous communication between
multiple PO devices of a PO system.

Claims:

1. A prosthetic/orthotic (PO) device communication system, comprising:at
least one PO device including a communications module, said communication
module including at least a transceiver and a microprocessor affixed to a
module board;a host board adapted to receive and retain said
communications module and to perform one or more functions unique to a PO
device to which it is installed; anda remote control for wirelessly
communicating with said at least one PO device.

2. The PO device communication system of claim 1, further comprising a
data transfer device to which a PO device may wirelessly transmit data.

3. A prosthetic/orthotic (PO) device communication system, comprising:a
plurality of PO devices, each including a common communications module,
said communication module including at least a transceiver, a
microprocessor and a power supply affixed to a module board;a host board
in each PO device, said host board adapted to receive and retain a
communications module and to perform one or more functions unique to a PO
device to which it is installed; anda remote control for wirelessly
communicating with said PO devices;wherein said PO devices are in
communication with one another.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said PO devices using a time slice
topology.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said PO devices employ frequency
hopping.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIVE FIELD

[0001]The present invention is directed to a system and method for
interfacing/communicating with a prosthetic/orthotic device or accessory
and for the collection, processing, display, storage, and/or management
of data related thereto. More particularly, present invention is directed
to a system and method for interfacing with and performing one or more
such functions with respect to a single prosthetic/orthotic device or
accessory or to a number of prosthetic/orthotic devices and/or
accessories of a prosthetic/orthotic system. Certain embodiments of the
present invention may also be capable of programming, configuring,
testing and/or evaluating prosthetic/orthotic devices and/or accessories
of a prosthetic/orthotic system. Data relating thereto may be
communicated via various tools and/or reports to a patient, prosthetist,
orthotist, and/or others.

[0002]As the degree of technical sophistication of prosthetic and/or
orthotic devices (hereinafter "PO devices") and accessories advances, the
need to provide users with the ability to monitor and/or control such PO
devices increases. While simple remote controls and other interface
devices capable of allowing access to a single PO device are known,
utilizing this method of communication in the case of multiple PO devices
would require the carrying and use of multiple remote
controls/interfaces. Obviously, this is not a practical solution.
Further, systems comprising multiple PO devices, i.e., prosthetic and
orthotic systems (hereinafter "PO systems"), have become more complex. As
such, the need to enable individual PO devices to interact not only with
a user, but also with each other, has also become more important.

[0003]It would be understood by one skilled in the art that there a
considerable number of PO devices in existence. Many other PO devices are
undoubtedly in development, or will be developed in the future. Such PO
devices will likely continue to increase in complexity. Thus, it can also
be understood that there are a multitude of parameters that are, may be,
and/or should be, monitored and evaluated during use of such PO devices.

[0004]Such a large array of PO devices and parameters advantageously
allows for a wide range of PO system designs and configurations
(depending on the deficit pattern presented by a given patient). However,
as such PO systems become more complex, the number of associated
parameters that should be monitored and evaluated greatly increases.
Further, the parameters of individual PO devices may affect or depend on
the parameters of one or more other individual PO devices when used in a
PO system. For at least these reasons, it has become highly desirable, if
not necessary, to reevaluate the mechanisms and methods of communication
with individual PO devices, as well as with and between PO devices of PO
systems.

[0005]It is possible to provide access to one or more PO devices with a
device such as a known hand held remote control. However, the level of
sophistication of current and future PO devices would render it
difficult, if not impossible, to fully realize the configuration,
optimization, and/or feedback possibilities afforded by such PO devices
and PO systems when using such a simplistic interface mechanism.
Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a clinician and/or other
interested parties with patient tools that will allow for a more complete
and organized ability to create useful configurations and access device
and system data relating thereto.

[0006]Providing such tools is a technically challenging proposition,
however. For example, in a very simple exemplary application, a single
remote control device may communicate with a single evacuation device of
a prosthesis having a vacuum suspension system. This may allow for
functions such as monitoring the state of charge of a power source
associated with the evacuation device, adjusting vacuum levels, and
activation/deactivation of the evacuation device and/or other related
components. In a more complicated system, a similar remote might
communicate with two prosthetic legs which, in turn, communicate with
each other and with a personal computer. With respect to communication
with a personal computer, the timing of the communications may only need
to be time stamped in some manner so that it could be reconstructed at a
later time. The data communicated to the remote control may not be time
sensitive at all. However, the communication timing between the two
prosthetic limbs would need to be determinant so that the control data
passed therebetween could be used for timing sensitive control functions.
Consequently, it is important to realize that in order for the data
between the two exemplary prosthetic legs to be temporally determinant,
all the communications between all the PO devices associated therewith
will need to comply with enforced communication timing.

[0007]Unfortunately, many standard network protocols cannot or do not
enforce such communication timing. In effect, most protocols simply
assure that a message sent will arrive at its destination--but not
mandate when the message will arrive. Further complicating matters, is
the fact that most PO systems are battery powered and, therefore, are
very sensitive to power consumption. Therefore, while a known and common
method for enabling the transmission of time critical messages is to
continuously maintain an open high-speed communications link, this is not
practical in the case of a battery-powered PO device which must talk to
multiple other PO devices.

[0008]Furthermore, as more and more consumer electronic devices embrace
wireless communication technologies, it becomes increasingly likely that
multiple devices in a given location will be simultaneously communicating
using wireless devices that transmit in the same frequency band. As a
result, interference and possible eavesdropping become a potential
problem. In the case of PO devices, where reliability and privacy are
both significant concerns, this issue must also be addressed.

[0009]As PO devices and PO systems become more sophisticated, they gain
desirable capabilities. However, these added capabilities come at the
cost of added complexity. Therefore, proper adjustment, maintenance, and
monitoring of PO devices and PO systems comprised thereof, may require
the evaluation of significant amounts of data. To properly enable access
to and use of such data, it would be useful to provide tools that
simplify these tasks.

[0010]It would be apparent to one skilled in the art that the ability to
remotely interface with a PO device(s) is desirable for many reasons.
However, as PO systems are generally configured for a particular patient,
it is obvious that the settings in which PO devices and PO systems are
used may vary greatly. Consequently, remote control devices for use as
described herein may require different types of interfaces for different
types of PO devices. To provide for this ability, it would be desirable
for such a remote control device to have at least certain components that
are of an easily reconfigurable design.

[0011]As noted previously, microprocessor-controlled and/or other modern
PO devices offer a great amount flexibility in PO system design, as well
as the ability to monitor, collect and report a wide range of data
applicable to the use thereof. Prosthetic/orthotic components such as for
example, prosthetic sockets, typically have many variable parameters
associated therewith. A complete prosthesis/orthosis may have several
such components. Human factors such as weight, height, activity level,
etc., may also vary considerably from patient-to-patient and from
prosthesis-to-prosthesis. Consequently, simple measurement of parameters
such as vacuum level, vacuum variation, cadence, etc., may not
necessarily allow a clinician to adequately evaluate or adjust the
performance of a PO device or PO system. It can be understood, therefore,
that the data provided by PO devices may be extremely useful with respect
to determining and/or optimizing the fit, performance, etc., of a PO
device or PO system. As such, and because the amount of data recorded by
a PO device between visits to a clinician may be quite significant, it
would be useful to allow a clinician or another user to download data
from a PO device or one or more PO devices of a PO system to another
device for documentation, viewing and analysis.

SUMMARY OF THE GENERAL INVENTIVE CONCEPT

[0012]The present invention satisfies the needs and desires described
above. The present invention allows for remote, efficient and adaptable
communication with one or more PO devices. The present invention also
provides for a methodology by which multiple PO devices may communicate
with each other without interference, and in a manner by which data
transmitted from a PO device can be used in substantially real time to
optimize its function, the function of one or more other PO devices, or
the function of an entire PO system. The present invention also provides
for the ability to record and collect useful data regarding one or more
PO devices or a PO system, and to optionally store, and transmit or
otherwise transfer said data to another device for viewing and analysis.

[0013]With respect to the present invention, it is to be understood that a
prosthetic device may include, but is not limited to, a replacement limb
or joint such as a foot, ankle, knee, hip, shin, thigh, hand, wrist,
elbow, shoulder or arm, a prosthetic component such as a socket, liner,
sleeve, or suspension mechanism, and/or a sensor such as a Electromyogram
(EMG) sensor, pedometer, activity level monitor, inertial sensor,
pressure sensor, force sensor, accelerometer, generator, heart rate
monitor, or the various communications devices introduced in this
application. Similarly, an orthotic device may include, but is not
limited to an orthosis designed for foot, ankle-foot, knee-ankle-foot,
knee, wrist, elbow, shoulder, spinal neck, or cranial application. Also
for the purposes of the present invention, parameters detected or
measured by sensors or other devices may include, without limitation,
stiffness, angle, displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, moment,
volume, pressure, temperature, time, heart rate, current, voltage, charge
level, and perspiration (presence or level). One skilled in the art would
realize that the aforementioned listing of devices and parameters is
merely exemplary, not exhaustive, and various other devices and/or
parameters would also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0014]PO devices of the present invention in general, as well as
communications and control sections of such PO devices, are preferably
highly configurable in nature. In this manner, a single remote control or
PO device can be configured to function within a nearly unlimited number
of PO system architectures. To facilitate such configurability, PO
devices and PO systems of the present invention preferably employ
microprocessor-controlled communications devices.

[0015]Preferably, the microprocessor-controlled communications devices of
the present invention are modular in nature. That is, a communications
module of the present invention is preferably comprised of a
communication device (i.e., transceiver) and an associated microprocessor
mounted to module board. Optionally, the communications module may also
include a power supply, such as a regulator. The communications module
can then be attached to a host board specifically designed to provide
particular functions appropriate to an associated PO device. Preferably,
the same communications module may be utilized in other devices of the
present invention, as described in more detail below.

[0016]It is to be understood that while a microprocessor-controlled
communications device of the present invention is referred to above and
hereafter as a "communications module," such a device may actually
perform both communication and control functions with respect to a PO
device to which it is installed. Thus, while the term "communications
module" is used herein for purposes of brevity, nothing herein is to be
interpreted as limiting the capabilities of such a module to
communication functions only.

[0017]The aforementioned clarification notwithstanding, it is in fact
possible that a more complex PO device, such as a prosthetic limb, might
require more processing power than would be practical to include on a
communications module. In such a case, the microprocessor of the
communications module may be used to mediate communications with external
devices, while a host processor would oversee functions of the associated
PO device.

[0018]Communication by a user (e.g., clinician and/or patient) with a PO
device or with multiple PO devices of a PO system is preferably
accomplished remotely. To that end, the present invention makes use of
remote control devices that preferably include the same communications
module present in the PO devices. When used in a remote control device of
the present invention, the communications module is again mounted to a
host board that may include other components such as without limitation,
a display, a keypad, a USB connector, etc. Preferably, the module and
host board are mounted within a housing that also contains a power
source. The remote control may take the form of a FOB.

[0019]As PO systems are generally configured for a specific patient, a
remote control of the present invention is preferably of flexible design.
For example, a remote control may allow for the use of interchangeable
interfaces that can be selected based on the particular type(s) of PO
devices with which the remote control will be used. Such flexibility may
specifically include, but is not limited to, the use of a flexible
software environment that allows a remote control to execute different
programs for interfacing with different devices--without changes to the
hardware; a configurable key pad that can easily be changed; a variety of
display types that can convey a range of information, and do so in a
manner that is useful to users who may have compromised visual acuity; an
easily replaceable, or rechargeable power source; and/or a backlit
display with, optionally, adjustable intensity, so that the remote
control can be used in the dark without consuming valuable battery power
under daylight or otherwise illuminated conditions.

[0020]Because PO devices of the present invention may store potentially
large amounts of useful data, the present invention also contemplates the
use of a data transfer device through which such data can be transferred
to another device (e.g., a PC) for viewing and analysis.

[0021]One method of implementing such a device is to mount a
communications module to a host board and to incorporate a USB interface
onto the host board. This allows the data transfer device to be connected
to a PC, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or another device equipped
with a USB port. The communications module then provides for wireless
communication between the PO device(s) and the data transfer device,
wherein the communication protocol is converted to serial form for
compatibility with a PC, PDA, or other digital device.

[0022]As described above, when multiple PO devices are used simultaneously
to create a PO system, various communications-related problems may occur.
In order to circumvent such problems, the present invention may enforce
communication timing, while also minimizing power consumption, by
utilizing the concept of time slicing. While this method is normally
applied to managing CPU multitasking, it also provides significant
benefits for a communication protocol useable in the present invention.
In the case of a PO system operating under this protocol, time is broken
up into periods assigned to specific PO devices. The total period time
will generally depend on the update rate necessary for the given PO
system. This time period is then broken up into a number of time slices
according to the bandwidth required by each PO device pairing.

[0023]Further, the present invention may require PO devices operating
under the above described time slice protocol to continuously switch
(hop) operating frequencies. In the event of interference, a PO device is
thereby afforded multiple opportunities within each time slice to
establish communication. If a frequency hopping period is short enough to
result in numerous hops inside of a single communication time slice,
every communication in every time period can be tried on multiple
frequencies to ensure that the communication will get through. One
possible implementation of such a protocol might be in a PO system
comprising numerous PO devices that are associated with multiple
prosthetic limbs worn by a single patient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the
present invention will be readily apparent from the following
descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like
reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or
equivalent features, and wherein:

[0025]FIG. 1 is a basic representation of a communication module of the
present invention;

[0026]FIG. 2a illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a PO device of the
present invention, in the form of a prosthetic socket evacuation device;

[0027]FIG. 2b is a schematic diagram representing the evacuation device of
FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 3a depicts one exemplary embodiment of a remote control device
of the present invention, in the form of a FOB;

[0029]FIG. 3b is a schematic diagram representing the remote control of
FIG. 3a;

[0030]FIG. 4 represents one exemplary embodiment of a data transfer device
of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 5 graphically depicts a number of PO devices operating under a
time slice communication protocol according to the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a communication hierarchy
that may exist between multiple PO devices of a PO system of the present
invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

PO Devices

[0034]As described above, various devices of the present invention are
preferably at least partially modular in nature. To that end, one
exemplary communications module of the present invention is illustrated
in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the communications module 5 includes a
module board 10 to which is mounted a microprocessor 15 and a transceiver
20. While the transceiver portion of such a communications module could
use acoustic, optical, or electrical technologies, such embodiments would
require a user to touch a remote control to an associated PO device in
order to activate the communications module. Consequently, the
transceiver is preferably a radio transceiver.

[0035]In the particular embodiment shown, the microprocessor 15 and the
transceiver 20 are integrated into one chip 25. It has been found that
the CC2511 and CC2512 microprocessor controlled transceiver chips from
Texas Instruments are especially well-suited for this purpose.
Alternatively, one skilled in the art would certainly realize that is
also possible to create a communications module according to the present
invention wherein a separate microprocessor and transceiver are employed.
For example, a Texas Instruments CC 2500 transceiver may be used in
combination with a Texas Instruments MSP430 series microprocessor in such
an embodiment. While the use of a chip having an integrated
microprocessor and transceiver allows for a significant reduction in the
size of a communications module of the present invention, it has been
found that such an embodiment does consume more power than an embodiment
employing separate microprocessor and transceiver components.

[0036]As mentioned above, when used in simple PO devices, the
microprocessor of a communications module could also be used to control
the PO device. For example, such functionality may occur in PO devices
such as remote controls, computer interfaces, vacuum suspension system
components (e.g., an evacuation device). In more complex designs, this
microprocessor of a communications module could be relegated to a
communications interface between a main control device and the
transceiver.

[0037]An alternate embodiment of a communications module 5' of the present
invention is indicated by the dashed boundary of FIGS. 2b and 3b. This
communications module is essentially the same as the communications
module 5 of FIG. 1, except for the addition of a power source. In this
particular embodiment, the power source is a regulator 30. The use of the
regulator 30 represents one possible improvement on the basic
communications module design of FIG. 1. While not necessary to a
communications module of the present invention, the addition of the
regulator 30 can be desirable for several reasons. First, the regulator
30 provides a ready source of regulated power for simple host boards.
Second, the use of the regulator 30 allows the microprocessor 15 to shut
itself and other hardware off to save power when all necessary tasks are
complete. Preferably, the regulator 30 is latched by the microprocessor
15.

[0038]As shown in FIGS. 2b and 3b, output port DO_0 from a microprocessor
15' and a push button PB of an associated PO device are both able to
energize an enable pin EN on the regulator 30. The latching function is
then implemented in firmware. Function progresses as follows: a user
pushes the pushbutton PB; power from the pushbutton enables the regulator
30 and the regulator turns on; the microprocessor 15' powers up; the
microprocessor turns on output port DO_0; when the pushbutton is
released, the enable pin EN on the regulator is still held high by the
microprocessor, latching the regulator on; the microprocessor holds the
enable pin high until all processes are complete, and then pulls the
enable pin low to shut down the regulator. As a result, the
microprocessor 15' itself and any other hardware powered by the regulator
30 is also shut down.

[0039]If the regulator 30 is chosen for low quiescent current and low
leakage when off, it is possible to eliminate nearly all power normally
lost due to regulator functions. This extends battery life when an
associated PO device is active, and prevents discharge when the PO device
is off. The MAX8880 series of regulators made by Maxim Integrated
Products Inc., has been found to be particularly suitable for this
application. In this device, quiescent current when the regulator is
active is guaranteed to be below 10 uA and leakage when the regulator is
off is guaranteed to be below 3 uA. For reference, if the regulator is
left active, with no load, and powered with a 600 mAh battery, the
regulator would not discharge the battery for nearly 7 years. In fact,
this means that the internal leakage in the battery would most likely
become the primary factor in battery life.

[0040]A communications module of the present invention is designed to be
used in a variety of different PO devices by connection to and
communication with a number of different host boards (see FIGS. 2-4). In
this manner, a multitude of different PO devices may employ the same
communications module. The use of a common communications module is
beneficial for several reasons including for example, a resulting
reduction in time and costs associated with research and development and
manufacturing, a reduction in necessary service parts, and an increased
familiarity of design amongst clinicians and other users and/or service
personnel associated with PO devices in which such communications modules
are used. Furthermore, as such communications modules require approval by
the FCC, the design and use of a common and FCC-approved communications
module eliminates the time-consuming task of repeatedly enduring the FCC
approval process.

[0041]As described in more detail below and as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4,
exemplary embodiments of PO devices employing a communications module of
the present invention may include, without limitation, an evacuation
device of a vacuum suspension system, a remote control, and a data
transfer device. As shown, each of these PO devices includes the same
communications module 5', which is essentially the same communications
module 5 shown in FIG. 1, except for the addition of the regulator 30.

[0042]A PO device comprising an evacuation device 35 of a vacuum
suspension system is depicted in FIGS. 2a-2b. Such an evacuation device
35 is typically used to evacuate the interior of a prosthetic socket
portion of a prosthesis. As shown, this particular evacuation device 35
is designed for attachment to a distal exterior end of a prosthetic
socket, but a number of also designs are also possible.

[0043]The evacuation device 35 can be seen to include a vacuum pump 40, a
power source (e.g., battery) 45 and a housing 50. The evacuation device
35 also includes a communications module 5', but could also include a
communications module without a power supply, such as the communications
module 5 of FIG. 1. The communications module 5' is connected to a host
board 55. The host board 55 also includes other components that are
provided to perform or permit various functions associated with the
evacuation device 35. For example, the host board 55 may include controls
for the vacuum pump 40 and for a vacuum sensor (not shown). Each of the
communications module 5', vacuum pump 40, power source (e.g., battery) 45
and host board 55 are designed to reside within the housing 50. In this
particular embodiment, the evacuation device 35 also includes an optional
programming and charging port 60 and a push-button interface 65.

[0044]Another PO device, in the form of a remote control 70, is shown in
FIG. 4. In this particular embodiment, the remote control 70 is in the
form of a small FOB, but various other sizes and configurations are
obviously also possible.

[0045]As shown, the remote control 70 includes a housing 75, for enclosing
at least some of the other components of the remote control. A power
source 80 (e.g., a battery) is present to provide power to the remote
control 70. The remote control 70 includes the communications module 5 of
FIG. 1 (but shown in an inverted orientation), but could also include a
communications module having a power supply, such as the communications
module 5' of FIG. 2b. The communications module 5 is connected to a host
board 85. The host board 85 also includes other components that are
provided to perform or permit various functions associated with the
remote control 70. For example, and without limitation, the host board 85
may include a display 90 for providing various information to a user and
a keypad 95 that is accessible through the housing 75 for entering data,
commands, etc., into the remote control.

[0046]When present, the display 90 may be of virtually any type known to
those of skill in the art. However, a display of the LCD variety may be
especially attractive in this application due to the low power
consumption characteristics associated therewith. The display 90 may also
be of virtually and size and shape. As mentioned above, the display 90
may also be backlit and have, optionally, adjustable intensity, so that
the remote control 70 can be used in the dark without consuming valuable
battery power under daylight or otherwise illuminated conditions.

[0047]When present, the keypad 95 may also be of virtually any type known
to those of skill in the art. Preferably, but not necessarily, the keypad
95 is easily interchangeable with other keypads to facilitate the
creation of customized and device-appropriate remote controls.

[0048]For at least the reasons described in more detail below, the
particular remote control 70 of FIG. 4 is shown to include an optional
USB connector 100. The presence of the USB port 100 provides for the
possibility of connecting any number of USB compatible devices to the
remote control 70. For example, a typical USB flash drive may be
connected to the remote control to receive an upload of data therefrom.
It may also be possible to transmit data from a PO device to the remote
control 70 where it can be saved on a flash drive or similar
USB-compatible storage device docked to the USB port 100. The flash drive
could then be transported to another device for viewing and/or analysis.
Via such an embodiment, it may be possible for example, to have a patient
upload data from the remote control 70 and/or a PO device in
communication therewith to a flash drive or similar USB-compatible data
storage device and subsequently send the storage device to a clinician
for evaluation at a remote location. Similarly, a clinician, a PO device
part manufacturer, etc., could provide a user of the remote control 70
with a USB-compatible storage device loaded with data (e.g., PO device
programming instructions, an upgraded BIOS, software patches, etc.). The
user could then connect the USB-compatible storage device to the USB port
100 on the remote control 70 and download the data thereto, where it may
be used by the remote control 70 or transmitted to a PO device in
communication therewith.

[0049]Another PO device, in the form of a data transfer device 105, is
shown in FIG. 5. The data transfer device 100 includes the communications
module 5 of FIG. 1, but could also include a communications module having
a power supply, such as the communications module 5' of FIG. 2b. The
communications module 5 is connected to a host board 110. The host board
110 may include other components that are provided to perform or permit
various data transfer functions. For example, and without limitation, the
host board 110 may include one or more components for converting wireless
transmissions form a PO device into serial communications compatible with
another device such as a PC or PDA.

[0050]A USB connector 115 is provided and preferably integrated to the
host board 110. The USB connector 115 allows the data transfer device 105
to interface with any USB port of another USB-compatible device. Although
not shown, the data transfer device 105 preferably also includes a
housing for enclosing at least the host board 110 and communications
module 5.

[0051]PO devices of the types contemplated by the present invention,
especially those with sensors, may collect enormous amounts of data.
While it may not be practical or economic to provide each PO device with
the ability to store days or weeks of real time data, there are times
when having the ability to do so would be useful.

[0052]However, storage and/or downloading of this data can be difficult
due to the shear amount of data that can be generated, and/or due to the
fact that the ultimate user of the data may not be the patient to which
the device is attached. Therefore, it is desirable to have a method of
downloading and storing data from a PO device. One such method employs a
data transfer device that may closely resemble a remote control device in
design. Typically, however, such a data transfer device would have
considerably more memory capacity than would a remote control. Such a
data transfer device may also be provided with one or more sensors not
commonly found on a remote control.

[0053]Such a data transfer device could be carried by a patient during
normal activities and could be programmed or signaled to wake up
periodically in order to download data from a PO device(s) of interest
before the memory capacity of the PO device(s) is exhausted. In one
scenario, a clinician could give a data transfer device to a patient to
take home and carry. The data transfer device would be placed in wireless
communication with a PO device(s) of interest, as described above. The
patient would then return with the data transfer device after a suitable
period of time so that the clinician could evaluate the patient's usage
of the PO device(s). In another scenario, the clinician could simply mail
the data transfer device to a patient in the field and, after suitable
data recording, the patient could return the data transfer device to the
clinician in the same manner. The clinician could then analyze the data
on the data transfer device to evaluate the function of the PO device(s)
and/or PO system without requiring the patient to physically visit the
clinician's office.

[0054]As mentioned above, it may be desirable for the data transfer device
to collect data that would not normally be required by the PO device
being monitored. One example might be the use of data transfer device to
verify that the use of a vacuum suspension system has in fact improved
the level of function of a patient. In this case, the data transfer
device could be equipped with inertial sensors to allow it to measure
cadence and usage information about the patient before and after the
vacuum system was enabled. Thus, the cost of equipping multiple PO
devices with sensors that might never be used can be avoided by instead
placing the inertial sensors on such a data transfer device.

[0055]Such a data transfer device could actually be a flexible remote
control device equipped with the ability to plug in a sensor and/or
memory upgrade that would allow the remote control to perform data
logging functions. In this way, a clinician could mail a patient the
expansion parts necessary to convert an existing remote control and ask
the patient to connect them to their own remote control device. Once the
required data collection process is complete, the patient would simply
remove the expansion parts and mail them back to the clinician for
analysis.

[0056]Therefore, such an application is an excellent example of the
flexible design philosophy associated with devices and systems of the
present invention. Essentially any PO device equipped with a
communications module can be made to perform a very wide range of tasks
through simple reconfigurations of the [module or device??] and its
associated hardware.

Timing

[0057]There are an almost unlimited number of PO system configurations
possible using any number of PO devices of the present invention. As
discussed above, a method of enforcing communications timing is desirable
in order to prevent communication problems and to ensure that the
transmitted data is useable for controlling the devices of the PO system.
A preferred, but not solitary, method of enforcing timing while also
minimizing power consumption is a system based on the concept of time
slicing. This timing methodology may provide significant benefits when
used as a PO system communication protocol.

[0058]FIG. 5 graphically illustrates how time is broken up under such a
protocol into a number of periods (C) which, in this particular example,
are assigned to PO Devices 1-5. Other numbers of devices may, of course,
be present in other embodiments. The total period time depends on the
update rate necessary for the given PO system. This time period is then
broken up into a number of time slices (B) according to the bandwidth
required by each PO device pairing.

[0059]At the start of each time slice, the transceiver of the primary PO
device initiates communication with the secondary PO device assigned to
that time slice. Because both PO devices know when the communication is
scheduled to occur, neither PO device need be active until it is time for
the slice. Further, once the necessary communication is complete, both PO
devices can shut down until their next appointed communication with
another PO device.

[0060]Inside of each of these periods, a given PO device will have
assigned communications times that are set aside for communication
between it and another PO device. The two PO devices can then use as
much, or as little of this time as is necessary to transmit the
information that they have accumulated since their time slice in the
previous communication period. As explained in greater detail below, if
this process is implemented using frequency hopping, it is then possible
to have multiple pairs of PO devices talking simultaneously. This
resulting communications protocol is robust, time determinant, power
efficient, and allows for high data bandwidth.

[0061]Frequency hopping permits PO devices operating under the above
described time slice protocol to continuously switch operating
frequencies. In this way, a PO device has multiple chances within each
time slice to establish communication in the event of interference. As
shown in FIG. 5, if the frequency hopping period (A) is short enough to
allow numerous hops inside of a single communication slice, every
communication in every time period can be tried on multiple frequencies
to ensure that the communication will reach its destination. Also, unless
an outside party knows of the hopping sequence and timing, communication
interception will be very difficult if not impossible.

[0062]In addition to these obvious advantages, frequency hopping also
allows multiple communications channels to be open in the same PO system.
In this manner, bandwidth in the PO system becomes a function of the
number of PO devices present and the number of hopping frequencies
used--not just the number of time slices available.

[0063]Another significant advantage to using frequency hopping is shown in
FIG. 6. Specifically, multiple PO devices can communicate simultaneously
without interfering with each other. While it is possible to simply let
each PO device pair hop randomly and recover from the occasional
collisions, this has obvious negative consequences for communication
reliability and power consumption. Efficiency and reliability are
maximized if the frequencies at each hop are allocated so that each pair
of PO devices is on a different frequency. This can be accomplished in a
number of ways. A brute force method is to simply assign a completely
separate set of frequencies to each PO device pairing. However, this
greatly reduces the number of frequencies available in a given bandwidth
for a given pair of PO devices. Instead, and as shown, a preferred method
is to use the same frequency sequence for all PO device pairs, but to
provide an offset of several frequencies so that communications never
collide.

Topology

[0064]One possible and interesting implementation of a PO system of the
present invention is one used by a patient with multiple prosthetic
limbs. A communication topology suitable to such a PO system is
schematically represented in FIG. 7. In such a configuration, a control
device might have access to two prosthetic limbs (e.g., prosthetic legs).
Thus, the control device could allocate time slices to each of the
prosthetic limbs and communicate with the limbs every communication
period. In addition to these timed communication periods, each of the PO
devices could have a sub-system that operates on either an orthogonal set
of frequencies, or a predetermined cycle of frequencies that is offset
from the hopping sequence used for the main system. In this manner, a PO
device could receive the pertinent information from an immense number of
PO devices channeled thereto through subsystems and either pass along or,
perhaps, process and then pass along information about their respective
systems and subsystems.

[0065]In this topology, each PO device can function as either a primary
communication device, which essentially controls the timing of the
communications on that channel, or as a secondary device that follows the
timing enforced by the associated primary device. PO devices on
intermediate levels in the chart of FIG. 7 change modes depending on
whether they are talking to a higher or lower level PO device.

[0066]For clarity, each PO device is referenced in FIG. 7 by labels
corresponding to [Level, Device Number]. There is one top level primary
PO device, device [0,1], which enforces the timing for its network. Each
of the secondary PO devices in the second level of the communication
chart [1,1]-[1,n] then enforces the timing of the top level PO device on
its sub-network. These [2,n] PO devices then enforce the timing down to
their respective sub-networks.

[0067]Each PO device accepts the enforced timing while in secondary mode
and then enforces it to its secondary PO devices. In this way, the timing
throughout the network is referenced back to the [0,1] device. Also,
because all timing is referenced back to the [0,1] PO device, any two PO
devices can communicate. In this manner, it is possible to have lower
level PO devices communicate directly to the [0,1] PO device, or to PO
devices on other sub-networks. This could be done to reduce communication
time between two PO devices, or to open up multiple channels of
communication between any two PO devices to add reliability.

[0068]Another beneficial function of the topology of FIG. 7 is that all
the PO devices have their time slice timing referenced to a single
source, in this case, the PO device labeled as [0,0]. Therefore, in
principal, any two PO devices can communicate as long as the same time
slice is assigned to both PO devices for the communication.

[0069]This is illustrated, for example, by the level 2 PO devices of FIG.
7. Specifically, this is shown by the communication that occurs between
level 2 devices [2,1] and [2,2]. Were these two PO devices not capable of
direct communication, messages therebetween would have to pass through PO
devices [1,0], [0,0], and [1,1]. Not only would this result in a
significant increase in bandwidth as the message is repeated time and
again, it would also result in a timing delay of 4 time periods between
the transmission of a message and its reception. In the case of a real
time controller, this is likely unacceptable.

[0070]The second example of such a communication link is shown to exist
between PO devices [3,3] and [0,0]. This additional communication link
provides at least two benefits. The first is that the link creates
secondary data path between PO devices [2,2] and [0,0]. By this secondary
data path, a prosthetic communication system becomes redundant and can be
self healing in the event of a PO device or communication link failure. A
second advantage is that, as in the previous case, PO device [0,0] has
access to data from PO device [3,3] after a single communication period.
As both examples show, time critical data can be linked directly to any
device in the system. The only limit is the number of time slices
available in a single communication period.

[0071]In simple networks, there may only be two PO devices--one primary
device at location [0,1], and one or more secondary devices at
[1,1]-[1,n]. In these cases, the level 1 devices will only function as
secondary devices.

[0072]In conjunction with the PO devices and other aspects of the present
invention, it is also contemplated that once data form a PO device(s) has
been collected, transferred, compiled and analyzed, it is possible to
create tools or reports to allow the data to be used and communicated.
This combination of data collection, data analysis, system configuration
and/or programming, and device testing truly allows access and usage of
the full capability of the functionality that can now be built into a PO
device or PO system.

[0073]While certain embodiments of the present invention are described in
detail above, the scope of the invention is not to be considered limited
by such disclosure, and modifications are possible without departing from
the spirit of the invention as evidenced by the following claims: